Glimpse of the Dragon Tour

Glimpse of the Dragon Tour

Glimpse of the Dragon Tour is the shortest trip that gives you an introduction of the religion, culture, people and the natural beauty of the Dragon Kingdom. The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked country in South Asia at the eastern end of the Himalayas. Bhutan borders China to the north and India to the south, east and west. To the west, it is separated from Nepal by the Indian state of Sikkim; farther south it is separated from Bangladesh by the Indian states of Assam and West Bengal. Bhutanâ€™s capital and largest city is Thimpu. Plan Holidays offers Glimpse of the Dragon Tour which is a new approach to sightseeing and understand Bhutan. This cultural tour through the mystical Western valleys of Bhutan is an ideal introduction to the Dragon Kingdom. This 4 days tour includes visiting highlights of Bhutan The Land of the Thunder Dragon , then breathtaking visit to central Bhutan , Paro Valley:The beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutans old monasteries and temples, then to eastern places like Bumthang Valley: This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism in Bhutan,Punakha: the old winter capital, Tashigang , Tashiyangtse , Trongsa & Mongar. Towering cliffs, Pristine forest, great variations in latitude &altitude & climate conditions are the eastern character. There is animistic Bonpo tradition in this area which is a practice earlier than Buddhism came into existence. Explore Phobjikha valley and also visit Gangtey Monastery, the most important Nyingma Gomba in the country.

Enjoy Dangmechu river which is the largest river that flows in the eastern district. Trashigang town was a trading point with Tibet in the past. Visit Trashigang Dzong (1659) ,also termed as Sky Dzong overlooking Dangmechu river. Trashiyangtse has Chorten Kora ,a Boudhanath Stupa of Nepal Modeled Chorten. Mongar Town is a settlement on top of the hill , main business place in eastern Bhutan, visit Mongar Dzong , newly built Dzong , Zhongar Dzong , Dramitse Lhakhang , AjaNey ,sacred site of a Rock. Visit some of the other villages in the area including Jambay, Kurjey and Thangbi Lhakhangs and the castle of the â€˜White Bird. In Trongsa visit Ta Dzong which is now a temple dedicated to the legendary Ling Gesar and stroll around the small town.An experienced English Speaking guide accompanies the trip from Arrival till Departure. Most famous landmark of Bhutan, Tigernest, the Takstang Monastery visit on foot is in the plan. You will visit the Dzongs, monasteries, and school of Thanka paintings.

Day 01: Arrival Paro Drive Thimpu(D): Today, the Dzong is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the nation. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D.Check in at Hotel. Overnight Thimphu.
Afternoon: Visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). Once the watchtower for the Rinpung Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory. Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing and abutted by two guardhouses, to the Dzong.

Day 02 :Thimphu Sightseeing (BLD) Thimphu lies in a wooded valley, sprawling up a hillside on the West Bank of the Thimphu Chhu [Chhu means River]. Thimphu is unlike any other world capital. Small and secluded the city is quiet and there are never the traffic jams familiar in other Asian Capitals. It is often said that Thimphu is the only world capital without traffic lights. Thimphu’s main shopping street is a delight not so much for what you can buy there, but for the picturesqueness of the architecture and national costume. Beautiful weaves in wool, silk and cotton, basketwork, silver jewellery, thankas and other traditional crafts of the Kingdom are available in various Handicraft Emporiums.

Plan Holidays Travel and Tours

Morning: Visit the Memorial Chorten, a huge stupa built in memory of the third King who reigned from 1952-1972. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Painting School where traditional art is still preserved. Artists are taught to paint Thankas here (sacred Buddhist scroll). Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where one can buy Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts. Visit the Weekend market where vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain till Sunday. Here you will find indigenous goods, handicrafts, locally produced goods, etc. Afternoon:Visit Semtokha Dzong. This is the oldest fortress in Bhutan, built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It also houses the largest monastic schools in the country.

Plan Holidays Travel and Tours

Visit Tashichho Dzong – the main secretariat building. It is from here that the King and other prominent civil servants run the country. The Head Abbot and the central monastic body also reside here during the summer. Visit Pangri Zampa Monastery, situated just beyond Dechencholing Palace (5 km. from Thimphu). This temple was the first residence of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal when he arrived in Bhutan in 1616 A.D. Ngawang Chogyel, the great ancestor of the Shahdrung, built it during the first quarter of the 16th century.Overnight Thimphu.

Plan Holidays Travel and Tours

Day 03: Thimphu -Paro (Excursion to Taktsang Monastery) BLD Transfer to Paro for 03 hrs hike to the Taktsang Monastery. Taktsang is the most famous of all Bhutanese monasteries. It is perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the floor of the Paro valley, where the only sounds are the murmurs of the wind and water and the chanting of the monks. The name Taktsang means Tigers Nest; the Guru is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to the site of the monastery where he meditated in a cave for three months. The monastery itself is closed to tourists except by special permit. However the one-hour walk to the viewpoint, where there is a small wooden teahouse provides a close-up view of the monastery. Its also a good warm-up hike if you are going trekking.Overnight Paro.